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Recalling what happened back at the bar, I inhaled deeply and rubbed my forehead.

“And…” she pressed on. “You still haven’t told me why you gave the drug to that child.”

“It’s not harmful. It’s a medicine that reduces side effects. My mom used to give it to me. I don’t know anything else.”

“But…”

“And…” I pressed on. “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m a wanted man. I can’t go up there.”

She shrugged. “You’re wearing a mask. No one will spot you except me.”

One of my eyebrows arched. “Is that so?” I murmured in a low tone. “What makes you special?”

“I am…” She faltered, raising her chin and tossing her hair back. “I mean, I was the person closest to you. I don’t think there’s anyone closer to you than I was.”

My amused gaze lingered on her face. What did she want? Did she still love me? Why was she being so persistent? I figured it was guilt. She was ashamed of what she’d done to me, and she was trying to make amends. Maybe she was trying to prove her innocent side, trying to show me that she’d turned into a flawless adult.

But I had never cared about that side of her. And I had no desire to deal with this new Mina either.

“Of course…” she continued. “I don’t know if you’ve had other lovers, or friends. But I doubt you could’ve grown that close to anyone in just four years. I don’t think you could. After all, the bonds we form when we’re young run deeper, and…”

As she babbled rapidly to herself, I sighed. Before I could stop myself, I cut her off: “Are you stupid?”

Her hands, which had been gesturing animatedly, froze. She looked up at me, her eyes wide with astonishment. Even as regret hit me, I sighed and stepped toward her.

“You saw that damn room, and you still think I could let someone else into my heart?” I stopped right in front of her. When I flicked her forehead, she scrunched up her face. “You’re really stupid.”

I walked past her, but her raised voice followed me.

“What does that mean? Do you still like me?”

“You figure that one out.”

“Where are you going?” As her footsteps caught up to me, I glanced back briefly without stopping, but slackening my pace.

“I’m taking you to your butterfly. So you’ll leave me alone.”

Without waiting for her reply, I kept moving. For a moment, the sound of her steps behind me faded, and fear tightened in my chest.

“Wait!”

When she came jogging up to my side, I wasn’t sure why a wave of relief washed over me.

I was feeling things I had no business feeling. I wasn’t human, and I should have never tried to be one, yet whenever I was with Mina, I couldn’t turn this warmth inside me back into ice. I couldn’t fight her. Her light was too blinding, and I only wished to burn beneath it.

“Thank you, Mr. Loxton. For escorting me.”

She offered a sweet smile, and I turned my gaze back ahead.

“You shouldn’t call me that when we get upstairs.”

“What should I call you then?” She feigned deep thought, though I already knew what she was going to say. “Remi?”

I didn’t answer, but she was already giggling.

“It’s going to feel so weird, but bear with it a little, okay, Remi?”

“It’s fine.” was all I could muster. She didn’t need to know about my racing heart or the flush heating up my face. Thank god, I had a mask. As we fell into step side by side, I stole a glance at her.